I've read, again and again, skittish doe's Layered. It captures, better than anything else I've read, the incredible thoughtfulness and courage that's an essential part of being a sub. It's easy to stereotype subs as "the passive ones" or "the ones who want to be told, rather than to think." It's also, of course, lunatic. Many subs are remarkably successful leaders in the professions and communities; they stand against a gale of challenges and often prevail. But I get a sense that many are thinking, "but that's not me, that's just an exhausting, draining game that i'm good at playing." Or perhaps, "that's not all of me. i can be that, but please let me find a place where the rest of me can blossom, too - just a bit of floor where i can curl and lean against my Master."

Just getting to the point where you can say that and not doubt your sanity, seems a victory to me. Taking the next step and finding someone for whom you'll gladly strip away your armor, is a greater one.

Thanks for the kind words.

S.